A group of Sussex County Cricket players are presently in Port Elizabeth for an intense training camp ending 9 February 2011.
The cricketers are being led by Coach Mark Davis who has praised the facilities available at NMMU as being “holistically excellent”.
Mark is a former Grey High School pupil, Northern Transvaal captain and professional cricketer, who represented Somerset County Cricket Club in 77 first-class matches and 59 List A matches between 1982 and 1989 before becoming a cricket coach in the early 1990’s.
This is the second year that this has taken place following a successful trip in early 2010. This year, only Sussex players, whether they are professional, academy or prospective players, will be taking part.
Davis said, “The training camp takes place for around five weeks and only certain players will be on the trip. There’s a different criteria for selecting every player, whether they are recovering from injury or have individual batting and bowling goals.
“The days will consist of cardiovascular training in the morning, before moving on to strength, fitness, and practice in the middle. The programme is quite intense so we give the players some time off. We intersperse the training with some life experience, like seeing wildlife, visiting the townships and getting a general feel for the country.
“We will be based at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University which has outstanding facilities, all on the same campus. It’s great for the players to get out to an environment like this rather than them being stuck in the indoor school”.
Mark pointed out that the Port Elizabeth pitches are quite slow and similar to Hove which is of great benefit to his players and similar to County Cricket pitches.
The Players in the Academy Squad are:
James Anyon – Lancashire-born seamer who was signed from Warwickshire in late 2009, and featured mainly in four-day cricket last summer. Has also played for Surrey on loan and has played over 50 first-class matches.
Devon Endersby – the all-rounder has come up through the Academy ranks at Hove and has played for the Sussex 2nd XI several times in 2010. Is now part of the Academy Plus and plays club cricket for Horsham.
Joe Gatting – made his first-class debut for Sussex in the summer of 2009 and the batsman made some important runs in the 1st XI last season, particularly in one-day cricket. Nephew of former England skipper Mike Gatting and plays in the Sussex Premier League for Preston Nomads.
Lewis Hatchett – left-arm seamer who signed a three-year contract with Sussex at the end of the 2010 season. Took 5 for 47 in the Championship victory over Leicestershire at Grace Road in July. Looking to force his way further into the reckoning this summer.
Amjad Khan – the Danish-born bowler was signed from Kent immediately after the end of last season and he will be hoping to earn an England recall whilst with Sussex; his one Test cap coming in March 2009.
Chris Liddle – the former Leicestershire left-armer has been unlucky with injuries over the past two seasons but will be looking to prove his worth in 2011 after signing a contract extension at the end of last season. Plays club cricket for Brighton & Hove.
Amit Midha – a young leg-spinner from Littlehampton Cricket Club who is looking to further his experience in being part of the trip.
Jamie Nussbaumer – primarily a seam-bowler, the 23 year-old is a product of Sussex’s links with Guernsey, as he has represented the islanders in the World Cricket League.
Jordan Rollings – tall Academy Plus bowler Rollings who has also come up through the ranks with Sussex and his extra height at 6″10 will look to extract bounce. Was a regular in the 2nd XI throughout last season and plays for Brighton & Hove CC.
Matthew Parker – a Scottish International seamer who will be furthering his experience on the trip. Has played ten one-day internationals for his country whilst also representing them in the Clydesdale Bank 40.
Luke Wells – left-handed opening batsman. Made his first-class debut for Sussex in the final game of the Second Division title-winning season in 2010. Son of former England batsman Alan and has been playing for Western Province CC in South Africa over the winter.
Craig Young – right-arm Academy Plus paceman who has recently been named in the provisional Ireland squad for the 2011 World Cup which begins next month. Has signed for Brighton & Hove CC for the new season.
Read more about Sussex County Cricket.
Alan Straton
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